There used to a company in Denver that would pick up all the dog droppings in your back yard. Their name was The Tootsie Roll Patrol, but the candy company that owns the Tootsie Roll name made them change, and they became something less memorable.

The Tootsie Roll people are quite protective of their name. I wanted to have Kirk in The Three-Minute Universe name the alien ship Tootsie Roll and wrote the company requesting permission. The permission finally came...six months after the book was published.

Well, I wish we had a similar company in Roanoke. MOST of my dog walking neighbors are considerate, but occasionally I find a pile in an inconvenient place.

A couple of years ago I was doing some unprogrammed driving around the Blue Ridge Parkway and stopped off at Blowing Rock, NC, where I discovered a townhouse development that had a sign proclaiming it a "pet-free community."

Dentists here advertise like crazy, and the ads all promise the same thing: a better smile. (As if that were the only reason for seeing a dentist!) The ads all say things like "We are dedicated to giving you a brighter smile" or "We have only one goal -- a better smile for you" etc.

Ah, so this obsession with cosmetic dentistry is not a nationwide thing?

Fortunately it only took a couple of visits before the dental practice I picked accepted that my priority is keeping my teeth functional for as long as possible. But the surgery is covered with posters about how to have an unnaturally perfect smile with veneers, implants, etc.

The dentist I use in Roanoke is a "cosmetic" dentist. I followed my hygienist when she moved and told her (and HIM) in no uncertain terms that I wanted to keep my teeth healthy but they look fine the way they are. The hygienist has since moved again, but so far I am cool with her replacement and the office is very convenient.

The first time Becky mentions "improvements", though, I am outta there.

I went to my old practice when I was visiting my parents in Australia last month - I wanted a second opinion on extra work the oral surgeon had been pushing me to have. (It's a bit tricky asking my current dentist, since she sent me to see him for the wisdom tooth extraction, and it puts her in an awkward position if I ask *her* if he's talking through his wallet.)